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Kulfi Beauty Experiences Significant Retail and Category Growth

Kulfi Beauty

Starting September 1st, Kulfi Beauty is launching exclusively into Sephora brick-and-mortar locations, approximately 281 in the United States and 59 in Canada, marking the first time the brand has physical retail presence. With a blockbuster launch online at the beauty specialty retailer only a year ago, and the first South Asian inspired makeup brand to be carried at Sephora, Kulfi will officially be introduced in-stores via "The Next Big Thing" section, an end cap display in the store that highlights today’s most promising up-and-coming indie brands. Since its February 2021 debut, Kulfi Beauty has experienced exponential growth, with sales increasing fourfold last year. The brand’s growth can be attributed to its partnership with Sephora in tandem with the introduction of key new product categories that serve the brand’s customers. But it’s Kulfi’s continued ability to foster a community of brand loyalists eager to weigh in and contribute to the brand that has propelled their success. The new in-store launch serves to bring all these factors together allowing fans of the brand and new customers to experience Kulfi Beauty first-hand and interact by way of real life activations. “From our inception, we have always looked to Sephora as a strong brand partner - from the earlier stages as a graduate of Sephora Accelerate 2021 program to our intentional expansion fueled by an enthusiastic customer community. Our community has been demanding us to be present in-store and we’re excited to meet them in real life with this launch. ” - Priyanka Ganjoo, Founder of Kulfi Beauty. The in-store Sephora display will carry a selection of best-selling shades that represent the brand’s offerings including all 5 core colors of the award-winning Underlined Kajal Eyeliner; 3 shades of Mehndi Moment Blush, including Lucky Lotus, a purple hue that went viral on TikTok; 3 shades of Zari Eyes Eyeshadow, including a bronze, rose gold, and Chammak Challo, their bright chartreuse; 10 of 21 shades of their award-winning Main Match Concealer, one to represent every shade family starting from rich deep to very light; and 4 shades of Heirloom Satin Lipstick. In August 2023, Heirloom Satin Lipsticks debuted as the brand’s newest launch. These hydrating lipsticks, boasting a balm-like texture and infused with Vitamin E, present a range of neutral colors designed to suit a variety of skin tones and undertones. Recognizing that not every shade is universal, Kulfi’s goal is to provide a diverse selection that caters to different individuals. The brand worked closely with their community through focus groups to develop custom shades that can become your everyday go-to neutral lip color. Kulfi is especially attentive to the needs of people with olive undertones & brown skin tones, significantly underrepresented groups when it comes to shade research in product development. In the same vein and also in response to the feedback of their community, last month Kulfi expanded the shade range of their cult-favorite Main Match Concealer, introducing 9 new shades and bringing the total to 21. This expansion further underscores the brand's commitment to providing options for everyone. Priding itself on its community-driven movement, Kulfi looks to engage Gen Z and Millennial consumers who value self-expression and culturally rooted conversations to actively participate in building the brand through shared experiences. Presently the brand is going "on the road" through their “Color Me Kulfi” campaign, with community pop-up experiences in multiple cities across the nation celebrating its launch in Sephora stores with activations in key cities: New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Miami. The events kick off September 20th and amongst which will include an action packed flagship event on September 30th in partnership with the iconic NYC Meatpacking District featuring a vibrant pop-up right in the heart of Gansevoort Plaza, and will extend through the months of September and October. Throughout the tour Kulfi will offer up a variety of activities to engage their community, including meeting expert make-up artists, indulging in the delightful flavors of kulfi ice cream, providing aura readings, mingling with fellow beauty enthusiasts, and experiencing the magic of Kulfi Beauty firsthand. “It’s been a dream of mine to bring forward a brand that centers joy through playful colors and innovative textures, making beauty more approachable and inclusive. I look forward to personally meeting our Kulfi community IRL over the next few months at Sephora and sharing our newest innovations.” - Ganjoo About Kulfi Beauty: Kulfi Beauty is a celebration of culture and beauty with makeup that’s vegan, clean, and cruelty-free. Creating space for joy and self-expression, Kulfi offers the highest quality of product innovation using boldly pigmented formulas that were designed as a medium for inspiring creativity. Kulfi is inspired by South Asian culture and is a platform for empowering the community through representation and support for mental health. As a forward-thinking brand, Kulfi champions diversity, representation, and empowerment. By offering inclusive beauty solutions and engaging with its community, Kulfi seeks to redefine beauty standards and inspire individuals to express themselves. Named after the iconic ice cream, Kulfi is a reflection of the brand’s South Asian heritage and a tribute to the unique experiences and memories we cherish. For More Information on Kulfi Beauty: Website: kulfibeauty.com Instagram: @kulfi.beauty TikTok: @kulfi.beauty Contact Details Amanda Smeal amanda@amandasmeal.com

August 30, 2023 08:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Trailblazing DFS Platform GameBlazers Launches for 2023 Football Season

GameBlazers

GameBlazers, a brand new fantasy game empowering sports fans to create and manage their own experience, today announced that its groundbreaking platform is live for the 2023 football season. Users can start playing now at GameBlazers.com. Instead of picking players in a traditional draft, users build their rosters by purchasing digitally-based Athlete Items in Item Packs or individually on the built-in marketplace. Users can then enter them in different season-long or weekly gaming structures for prizes and rewards. To further set itself apart from traditional fantasy, there isn’t just one of each Athlete Item available in the GameBlazers’ ecosystem. Player Items have a Multiplier assigned to them, so every point an Item earns is then multiplied by 1.0 through 1.5, increasing in.1 increments. This unique feature allows Athletes that might be lower on the Top 100 to become more valuable, which makes for a deeper and expanded player pool. “The way we enjoy video games, music and other forms of entertainment along with how we collect, trade and manage assets have all adapted to the modern age, but fantasy sports has seen little advancement in two decades,” said Rourke Sturthers, CEO of GameBlazers. “Our goal with GameBlazers is to create a platform that truly bridges the gap between the modern and future worlds of fantasy sports into a first-of-its-kind user experience. GameBlazers looks to modernize fantasy sports entirely. Our innovative gameplay mechanics gives players the opportunity to be the Owner, GM and Coach of their fantasy franchise.” Once an Item Pack is opened, Items can be used in lineups and other gaming structures, or sold in the GameBlazers marketplace. While not NFTs, Users will have a wallet, or Roster, where Items will live, enabling them to grow their collection without constraints on Roster size. Another gameplay mechanic where GameBlazers differentiates itself is the lifetime of Player Items. Some of the items have an “unlimited” lifetime, expiring only after the Athlete retires and can be used from season to season. Others will have a lifetime duration of 12-months from the Pack open date. GameBlazers has also taken concepts from the video game world and added battle pass-like mechanics to the ecosystem, rewarding Users over time for regular participation. Recently, GameBlazers signed agreements with Full Moon Sports Solutions and Raging Moose to help with partnerships, licensing, and product development of the platform. Full Moon Sports Solutions is a strategy consulting firm specializing in business and product development for the fantasy, gaming and sports betting industry and has aided in developing strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities with professional sports leagues and associations. Raging Moose is a technology consulting group specializing in game design and gameplay mechanics. Having worked on FIFA Ultimate Team, the group is assisting GameBlazers in developing a proprietary Item Distribution Framework that assigns the Athletes, Multipliers, Rarities and other forms of metadata to the in-game Items. Sign up to play and read more about the platform on GameBlazers.com. About GameBlazers GameBlazers is a new sports gaming platform bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds into a first-of-its-kind user experience. GameBlazers blends the best elements of fantasy sports, sports gaming, and collectible in-game items to create a more sustainable and more engaging gameplay. GameBlazers enables innovative gameplay mechanics that give Players the opportunity to be the Owner, GM and Coach of their Fantasy Franchise. For more information or to join the beta, please visit: https://www.gameblazers.com/ Contact Details Sterling Randle srandle@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.gameblazers.com/

August 25, 2023 09:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

REALTORS® share updated home price data, homeowners’ wealth gain trends over the last decade, and a real estate forecast for the rest of 2023

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/iLFi4scvBfQ Given the ever-changing housing market, many Americans are questioning whether it’s a good time to buy or sell a home. Despite fluctuating mortgage rates and limited housing inventory, there are many reasons to consider making a move in the current market. In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS®: • The national median home price in June was slightly less than the record high of nearly $414,000 in June of last year. Although existing-home sales saw a 3.3% decrease, home prices have held firm in most parts of the country. • While mortgage rates are significantly higher than last year, they are still considered historically low and have remained relatively steady. • Sales in the second half of the year should be notably better than the first half as job gains continue and more favorable mortgage rates are expected. • Existing-home sales are expected to increase by 15.4% in 2024. Moreover, homeownership continues to be a catalyst for Americans to build generational wealth. Over the past decade, the median-priced home in the U.S. gained nearly $200,000 in value, making the typical homeowner 40 times wealthier than if they had not purchased a home or remained a renter. An agent who is a REALTOR® can help you achieve the dream of homeownership and create long-term wealth and financial stability for your family. A nationwide media tour was conducted on August 15th, live from the 2023 REALTORS® Leadership Summit, featuring senior leaders from the National Association of REALTORS®. Topics that were discussed during live TV and Radio interviews included: · Highlights from the National Association of REALTORS® 2023 Second Quarter Metro Home Prices Report. · Trends REALTORS® are seeing in national and regional markets this summer and expectations for the remainder of 2023. · How REALTORS® are helping their clients navigate today’s housing market and build generational wealth through homeownership. · Resources any homeowner or potential buyer can use to make more informed, efficient decisions. To learn more about REALTORS® and to find a real estate agent visit realtor.com Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 24, 2023 12:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Back-to-School Nutrition SOS: Tackling the Uneaten Lunch Dilemma with Smart Nutrition Solutions

YourUpdateTV

When it comes to parenting, ensuring your child's nutrition is a top priority. But what do you do when lunchboxes come home virtually untouched? Recently, Childhood Nutrition Expert Dr. Nicole Avena participated in a satellite media tour campaign to share insights on how to conquer the lunchtime challenge and ensure your kids are getting the nutrients they need. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/ybOpf0vrJvc During back-to-school season, a major concern among parents is whether their child is getting enough nutrients, especially when they come home with a full lunch box. SmartyPants Vitamins are the perfect addition to your family’s routine. As the preferred vitamin brand for parents of picky eaters, SmartyPants is industry-leading in the comprehensiveness of its formulations, its transparency, and advocacy, with 40+ Clean Label Project® certified products rid of GMOs and synthetic colors. Their Kids Formula and Kids Formula & Fiber are made with Vitamin D3 for immune support, and their Kids Prebiotic & Probiotic Immunity Formula is made with two strains of probiotics to support digestive health and the immune system. Additionally, SmartyPants’ Vitamins will appeal to even the pickiest eaters with their great taste (like Strawberry Crème for the Prebiotic & Probiotic Immunity Formula and Lemon, Orange, and Strawberry Banana for the Kids Formula) in a delicious gummy they’ll actually enjoy taking day after day. What's more - SmartyPants also offers a premium Women's Formula to help mom to stay on her A game during this busy, stressful time frame. SmartyPants Vitamins are available nationwide in-store and online at dozens of major retailers and on Amazon. For more information about SmartyPants visit smartypantsvitamins.com ------------------------------------------------------ *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. DR. NICOLE AVENA BIO As a member of SmartyPants Vitamins' Scientific Advisory Board, Dr. Nicole Avena is a research neuroscientist and expert in the fields of childhood nutrition, diet during pregnancy, and food addiction. She received a Ph.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Princeton University, completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Rockefeller University, and is presently Assistant Professor of Neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City and a Visiting Professor in Health Psychology at Princeton University. In addition to a number of best-selling books, including What to Eat When You Want to Get Pregnant, and over 90 scholarly journal articles, she regularly appears on a variety of television and radio programs. ABOUT SMARTYPANTS VITAMINS Founded in 2011, SmartyPants Vitamins is a purpose-led supplement brand on a mission to simplify health for families without sacrificing quality. As the best vitamin brand for kids and families, SmartyPants supplements are formulated with premium nutrients and high-quality ingredients—and a delicious taste and texture that appeals to picky eaters. All SmartyPants supplements are third-party lab tested for purity, potency and safety. From its inception, SmartyPants has generated life-changing nutrient donations for women and children in the U.S. and globally via the brand’s partnership with Vitamin Angels. To learn more, visit smartypantsvitamins.com or check out @smartypants on Instagram. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 24, 2023 12:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Endless Summer Fun Guide

YourUpdateTV

It's time to start thinking about the end of summer and all that comes with it. Even though back-to-school is on the horizon, there is still plenty of time to soak up the fun this summer and get the most out of these last few weeks. Recently, Lifestyle Expert Christine Bibbo Herr participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to share her top tips to get the most out of the last few weeks of summer. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/RIbFBorhS0g Staying Hydrated Summer may be winding down, but there are plenty of things we can do to help keep that summer feeling alive. For Christine, that starts with hydration, especially this summer, which has felt like one constant heat wave! Hydration is always important, but is critical during hot and humid weather, when our bodies tend to sweat out more body fluid. Proper hydration helps regulate body temperature, support brain function and mood. One great option to help are Ultima Passionfruit Electrolytes. Just pour into a glass of water and stir! They are perfect for summer hydration with 6 trace minerals to keep your body hydrated. They include 0 sugar, 0 calories, and 0 carbs, and work great with keto, low carb, and vegan diets. And the best part? They taste absolutely delicious. To find all of their great flavors, check out ultimareplenisher.com Tips for Outdoor Fun Getting outdoors, whether celebrating in the backyard with the family, going on a hike, or anything in between, is an essential part of summertime fun. But there is always one thing that can put a real damper on any outdoor fun: mosquitoes. Many people don’t know but when it comes to mosquitoes and even ticks, prevention is the best protection. OFF! Clean Feel is a fragrance-free, non-sticky repellent that is formulated with Picaridin, so it feels good on skin and won’t damage clothing. Insect repellent is most effective when applied before mosquitoes or ticks start to bite, so always remember to apply before your outdoor activities. OFF! Clean Feel repels mosquitoes for up to 8 hours, so apply after sunscreen, before you head out the door, and you can enjoy your summer fun without any pesky interruptions. You can find OFF! in local stores or online at OFF.com Summer Entertaining Summer entertaining is a huge part of summer fun, and with Labor Day around the corner, there is still time for great summer parties. And nothing says summer party like ice-cream cake. Ice-cream cake is always a go-to at my house for warm-weather get-togethers. Everybody loves it and it’s easy to stick right back in my freezer when we’re finished. My go-to is always the cakes from I Love Ice Cream Cakes, which you can find in your local grocery Bakery freezer case. Check out these delicious flavors! Here’s a yummy OREO Ice Cream Cake, a Carvel Strawberry Crunchie Cake, and I bet the kids will love this Carvel Cookie Dough Cake the most! Just go to ILoveIceCreamCakes.com to find these cakes and more near you. Maximizing Your Time This Summer Pool parties are always a big part of our summer fun, but cleaning a pool can be a tedious, back-breaking task, even though it’s important avoid the build-up of dirt, leaves, grime, and other messy particles. So, one big timesaving hack this year? Stop manually cleaning your pool and leave the work to the Aiper Seagull Pro cordless robotic pool cleaner. It systematically cleans the pool in just 3-hours, is completely cord, hose, and hassle-free, and reduces the workload on a pool’s filter system, making it more energy efficient. It’s a great solution for pool owners to spend less time cleaning their pool and more time working on their backstroke. For more information, visit nycpretty.com About Christine Bibbo Herr Christine Bibbo Herr, aka @NYCPretty is a former magazine fashion director, and currently an on-air TV lifestyle expert and influencer, stylist, fitness enthusiast & @cheerfittraining instructor. She’s worked for various national glossies including Health, Real Simple, SHAPE en Espanol, Life & Style, Women’s Day, Today.com and more! Her passion for her work and a healthy lifestyle has her covering the hottest fashion, beauty and wellness trends from her uniquely VIBRANT point of view. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 24, 2023 09:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Back to School Prep - A Guide for Families with Meaghan Murphy – author of Your Fully Charged Life and Lifestyle Expert

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/4Ph9croFC2o Summer breaks are over and back to school time is here. Where did the time go???!! What do you need to know to make the most of your remaining time to plan and budget to spend? Meaghan Murphy – author of Your Fully Charged Life and Lifestyle Expert conducted a nationwide media tour discussing her comprehensive guide to prep your home, family, and students for back to school. This back-to-school season Meaghan is highlighting thredUP, Target, T-Mobile, and fairlife Here is the best of Meaghan’s guide: thredUP thredUP is a one-stop shop where you can clean out your closet AND buy affordable, sustainable secondhand clothing and accessories across 55,000 brands and 100+ product categories. thredUP’s Clean Out Kit is the easiest and most convenient way to clean out your closet. All you have to do is go to thredUP.com/cleanout, order their signature polka dot bag or print a shipping label, and send thredUP your gently worn items. From there, thredUP does all of the work to resell your items. thredUP makes it easy and convenient to sell items that you no longer love, and you can stretch your dollar further by refilling your closet with like-new pieces at up to 90% off retail value. For more information: thredUP.com/cleanout @ thredUP Target If you are looking for a one-stop-shop for back-to-school and college look now further than Target. Target has all the national brands that kiddos and parents are looking for - and with deals starting at just $1, Target has all the back-to-school and back-to-college essentials you’ll need. Now let’s talk must-have products. Essentials: This colorful Up & Up pencil pouch and Mondo Llama pencil set are two of my favorite essentials. Backpacks: I love this adorable Cat & Jack Unicorn backpack and this adaptive backpack option. Lunch Must-Haves: Cat & Jack bento boxes are so handy for packing a delicious lunch with some Good & Gather goodies– the Glazed Doughnut Almonds. Dorm: Level up your dorm room style with this Room Essentials sherpa pillow and letterboard. Don't forget to throw your morning coffee into these cute mugs too! Target’s same-day pickup options allow you to get your items the same day, with no membership required. Drive Up is my go-to for when I have kids in tow. Just pull up, and a team member will bring your items straight to your car! For more information: Check out Target.com to see more incredible items to send your kids to school without breaking the bank! @target T-Mobile T-Mobile just announced back-to-school device deals for the whole family ahead of the school year – and they’re all available NOW for both new and existing customers. Whether you’re sending your child off to college or taking your kiddo to their first day of first grade, T-Mobile has you covered so you can stay better connected with a variety of device deals! Pick up a free 5G smartphone, like the exclusive REVVL 6 PRO 5G OR the award-winning SyncUP KIDS Watch for free, both with 24 monthly bill credits plus tax when adding a qualifying line. And being a T-Mobile customer means you always get major value packed into your plans. Families on Go5G Plus get over $270 in extra perks every single month – like Netflix on Us, free in-flight Wi-Fi on the biggest U.S. airlines, free international high-speed data, T-Mobile Tuesdays and so much more. Just for being a T-Mobile customer. Go5G Plus customers are also upgrade-ready every two years, and it’s the first plan where customers always get the same great device deals whether they’re a new or existing customer. No other wireless provider can say that. And that’s all on top of getting access to the nation’s largest, fastest and most awarded 5G network. For more information: Target back-to-school-deals T-Mobile Facebook T-Mobile Twitter T-Mobile Instagram T-Mobile Threads REVVL 6 Pro 5G SyncUP Kids Watch Fairlife For families looking to find nutritious options during the busy back to school season. fairlife Ultra-Filtered Milk is a great tasting, source of nutrition for families like mine that are always on the go. fairlife has 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than regular milk, fairlife’s 14oz bottles offer great tasting, nutrition-rich products, made to enjoy on the go! Available in 2% white, chocolate and strawberry Ultra-Filtered Milk, fairlife delivers nutrition at any time whether you’re starting your day with breakfast on-the-go, pairing with your favorite lunch, or enjoying a mid-day snack. Head to your local grocery store or convenience store to stock up on fairlife Ultra-Filtered Milk 14oz ahead of back-to-school season! For more information: https://fairlife.com/ultra-filtered-milk-14oz/ https://www.facebook.com/fairlifeLLC https://www.instagram.com/fairlife/ Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 23, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Helping End Pet Homelessness: Hill’s Pet Nutrition teams up with NBCUniversal Local for Month-long Clear the Shelters Campaign to Inspire Pet Adoption Nationwide!

YourUpdateTV

Since its inception in 2015, NBCUniversal Local’s Clear the Shelters campaign has helped more than 860,000 pets find homes and hopes to reach a new milestone this year - one million pets adopted. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/PJJWLdA2z5k Animal shelters across the country are in crisis as millions of pets are entering shelters but a growing number are not being adopted; In fact, more than 6.3 million animals enter shelters each year and in 2022 alone, 90,000 more cats and dogs entered shelters than were adopted. The Clear the Shelters campaign comes at a critical time as pet adoptions are slowing and shelters are facing extreme challenges with overcrowding and stretched resources. For more than two decades, Hill’s Pet Nutrition has focused on helping end pet homelessness through supporting shelter pet adoption, including its long-term support of the Clear the Shelters campaign. Hill’s Pet Nutrition is working to understand barriers to pet adoption and in a new survey of 1,500 pet owners, learned that high-quality photography is a simple, powerful tool in increasing a pet’s chance of adoption and reducing the time they spend in a shelter. Studies have shown that dogs with good adoption photos are typically adopted within two weeks, compared to 43 days for a pet with a poor photo. Quality photography helps showcase a pet’s true personality, create a deeper connection and inspire more individuals to consider adoption. 95% of pet adopters found photos to be important to the process. 7 in 10 online adopters considered a specific pet because of its photo. More than half of online adopters (58%) felt an emotional connection because of the pet’s photo. Hill’s is proud to team up with award-winning animal photographer and shelter advocate Sophie Gamand to offer simple but impactful photography tips anyone can use with their cell phones to help shelter pets put their best paw forward. To help pets find homes more quickly, volunteers are needed to help their local shelters with intake photographs of pets, as well as other activities ranging from exercising and socializing pets to administrative tasks to at-home fostering. Whether you donate, volunteer, foster, or adopt, your support matters. Together, we can create positive change. ● Adopt: If you’re ready to open your heart to a loyal and loving companion, visit HillsClearTheShelters.com to find a shelter near you. ● Volunteer: Shelters are in desperate need of volunteers. You can put your photography skills to good use by volunteering to help take quality photos of pets in shelters to help them find a new home faster. And even if photography isn’t your thing, shelters can also use extra hands. ● Donate: Consider donating at ClearTheSheltersFund.org where 100% of donations go directly to shelters and rescues in need. ● Foster: Open your home to a pet in need by providing temporary housing to help reduce overcrowding and help a pet prepare for adoption. Join the movement and make a life-saving difference for shelter pets everywhere by visiting www.hillscleartheshelters.com. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

August 22, 2023 04:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise Review: Jim Sweeney ‘Talks Shop’ on Growing Sales With Booming Apparel Business in Houston, Texas

Minuteman Press International Inc.

Jim and Jane Sweeney are the owners of the Minuteman Press franchise in Houston, Texas for the last 29 years; they first joined Minuteman Press in June of 1994. Jim and Jane have done a tremendous job building their business over the years. Most recently, they have truly excelled in growing their apparel sales. Jim summarizes: “ The past 2 years have certainly been interesting. We are currently (as of July of 2023) running 30.5% ahead of 2022 sales, which was up 35% over 2021. It seems like the world (or our world anyway) came out of its 2-year long malaise in 2022.” In the below interview, Jim shares more specific details about his center’s booming apparel business and how he and Jane’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston have accomplished such strong growth in their apparel sales. Their center is located at 1040 Hercules Ave (Clear Lake City); Houston - Clear Lake City, TX 77058. How have you grown your business in general over the past two years? Jim Sweeney: “During the early pandemic we pivoted to personal protection products, which naturally led to custom face masks. While Jane was busy actually sewing 1000 face masks, I was providing custom logo cloth masks to hospitals, medical offices, service providers, and schools. We sold about 40,000 custom masks during that time, and we either heat pressed them or sent them to a local screen print vendor. We also donated a lot of masks to schools, non-profits, etc. Finally, in 2022, our traditional printing was finally starting to climb back to pre-pandemic levels. Promotional products also grew as trade shows and marketing calls became more the norm. We also had a big spurt of large format work, but that actually slowed down a bit after that initial spurt. EDDM printing has also become a larger portion of our print sales. Once we registered as EDDM providers on the USPS website, we definitely saw a very large increase in direct mail in general. Business Card printing has always been big for us, and the addition of the Graphic Whizard slitter, cutter, creaser has made it even more profitable. Our marketing efforts consists of: heavy community involvement; direct mail postcards, especially this year with the Deal of the Month art provided by MMP corporate; SEO/SEM on the Minuteman.com website, and social media, specifically as it relates to Direct to Film Transfer sales.” How have you grown your apparel business? What have you done to get your apparel sales going? Jim Sweeney: “We really started getting serious about apparel about 8 years ago when we purchased a commercial embroidery machine. Then, about 5 years ago, Jane put together a great lobby presentation. This area features apparel, large format, and promotional items of interest. We added dye sublimation capabilities with the Epson F570, and then we added DTG printing for one- offs (we eventually sold the DTG printer). During this time, we were using a lot of screen printed transfers, mostly from 613 originals or FM expressions. The issue became turnaround time. It would take up to 2 weeks to receive those transfers, and then of course we had to press them. We purchased a second, and then a third Stahls’ heat press during this time. That is when we decided to move in to the Direct to Film (DTF) printing business. After going through several desktop converted printers to try to print our own transfers, about 2.5 years ago we purchased our first large format, dual printhead DTF printer and finisher. In addition to producing transfers for our in-house use, we have enough capacity that we sell transfers to other printers, screen printers, sign shops and Facebook Group/Etsy owners. We added additional capacity with a 4 head DTF printer in January of this year (we will most likely be adding a third printer in the third quarter this year).” Jim continues: “Wholesale Transfer printing is now approximately 20% of our monthly sales; we ship all over the country, with a daily capacity for printing thousands of transfers. Adding embroidery and our in-house t-shirt sales makes apparel approximately 30% of our monthly revenue.” “Concurrently with this growth in transfer sales, the embroidery business was taking off. We regularly receive orders for 10-50 polos or button-down shirts for embroidery. We landed a grocery store chain and 2 local hospitals, and the orders became 150-200 shirts at a time. This past fall we completed a $24,000 jacket embroidery order, and we just delivered $32,000 jacket order to that same client, a hospital. Of course, we use a trusted local vendor for larger quantities of jackets.” Jim adds: “Our apparel business continues to grow weekly with more, and larger, in-house turn-key t-shirt sales really ramping up.” What are 3 tips for other owners on growing their apparel business? Jim Sweeney: “1. We feel that the #1 thing that is continuing to drive our apparel sales, in addition to the wholesale transfer sales, is our lobby display. Several years ago, we put this display of apparel samples, promotional items, and some of our large format samples in our shop. Whenever a new, or even an existing customer comes into the shop, invariably they are drawn to this display. About 1 in 5 people who walk into the shop asks about something that they see on that display. We turn about 85% of those inquiries into sales. 2. It also helps that our CSR is very knowledgeable about all aspects of apparel, as she is about all of our products and services. Our CSR/production manager, our daughter Allison, was the store manager at our Galveston location (which we sold in August of 2022), and has worked in every aspect of our business over the years. I realize that not everyone can be this lucky, however, that does not stop you from training and providing your staff with the tools that they need to do their jobs well. SanMar has great apparel catalogs with swatch samples, and you can put together a simple apparel website using their marketing tools. Of course, it also goes without saying that everyone on your staff should be wearing logo shirts, to further showcase your capabilities. 3. If you have the opportunity, attend a local apparel industry trade show, an ASI show, and most especially the MMP International World Expo. Educate yourself, request samples, purchase a good heat press, start small, with your own shirts, then visit your current clients to show them your new capabilities. Apparel is a perfect tie in to all of the other services that our shops provide to our clients. Apparel sales spur printing sales, just like printing sales should spur apparel sales.” At least once or twice a year, this hospital does a bulk purchase of 430 t-shirts for all the staff members. The purchase might include jackets, rain jackets, backpacks, other specialty items, or t-shirts. We’ve provided $200,000 or more in just apparel and high-end promo items to the hospital in the last 3 years. This hospital then referred us to the hospital Can you provide an example of a client who has used you for apparel? Jim Sweeney: “One of our regular ordering apparel clients is a local specialty hospital. In addition to their hospital facility, they also own or partner with 15 other physical therapy centers in the Houston region. We started out providing them with the usual printing and large format products, then contracted with them to provide new building signage for each of the outlying offices, and then grew into apparel with them. We have them set up on 2 Stahl’s Spirit Sale websites. One of them is for employees to purchase branded apparel, and the other is for the hospital to purchase apparel for new employees. In addition to standard corporate apparel, each department has their own branded t-shirt. Is there anything else you’d like to share? Jim Sweeney: “Apparel is an easy sell. Wear your logo. Talk it up. Ask for referrals. Don’t be afraid of it just because you haven’t done it before.” For more information on Jim and Jane Sweeney’s Minuteman Press franchise in Houston/Clear Lake, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/tx/houston27/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

August 22, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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James Harden Celebrates First Anniversary of Launching J-Harden Wines

J-Harden Wines

NBA superstar James Harden is celebrating the first anniversary of launching J-Harden Wines by expanding distribution internationally, giving back to his fans around the globe, and elevating his support for female minority-owned businesses. Harden launched J-Harden Wines through a partnership with Accolade Wines in the summer of 2022 to make quality wine more accessible to all consumers. “I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished in our first year of J-Harden Wines, starting with massive success in the U.S. and now expanding worldwide,” said Harden. “As a black-owned business owner, I want to make wine more available to all communities. I want people to know they can enjoy some of the finer things in life and do it at an affordable price.” Harden added, “As you’ve probably seen on TikTok and across social media, I’m literally doing cartwheels over the response we’ve seen for J-Harden Wines. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in year two.” Harden recently wrapped up a tour of China, which joined the United States, Canada, Japan, Philippines, and Malaysia as countries that distribute J-Harden Wines. With Harden in the market for a series of appearances, China’s initial allocation of 16,000 bottles of J-Harden Wines sold out in minutes when it was released this week. J-Harden Wines plans to restock the supply in China to match demand. The success of J-Harden Wines internationally is a result of the momentum that Harden created in his first year in the wine business. He will visit with his U.S. fans during a visit to Houston’s Total Wine & More (2857 Katy Freeway, Suite 100) on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. J-Harden Wines and Harden will also support business grants for female minority-owned businesses, which will be given away at the Women’s Empowerment Brunch at Harden’s Thirteen Restaurant in Houston on Sunday, Aug. 20. J-Harden Wines will then participate in JH-Town Weekend, a series of fundraising events that support the Impact 13 Foundation, happening at the end of the month. “James has brought an elevated energy and enthusiasm to the wine industry through the launch of J-Harden Wines and its success over the last year,” said Enrique Morgan, Accolade’s Managing Director of the Americas. “We’ve accomplished so much together in a short period of time, and the response from his fans and our consumers has been incredible. We plan to continue making the wine more accessible in the United States and grow its distribution internationally.” Harden’s involvement in the J-Harden label goes far beyond an equity stake. Combining his love for fashion, art, style, and wine, Harden worked closely with the Accolade team to offer his input on the taste, look, and feel that matched his personality. Harden plays a significant role in the wine’s creative direction, design, and style. As a 10-time NBA All-Star and third-leading three-point scorer in NBA history, Harden continues to share his wine journey with fans across the country. Available in a California Cabernet Sauvignon, California Red Blend, and Prosecco, J-Harden Wines is available through leading retailers across the United States, including Total Wine & More, Kroger, Albertson’s/Safeway, H-E-B, BevMo!, and Target. Learn more at jhardenwines.com. About Accolade Wines Accolade Wines is a leading global wine company with famous wine brands loved around the world, including Hardys, St Hallett, Grant Burge, Banrock Station, Mud House, Petaluma, and many others. Accolade is a fully integrated business, managing the entire supply chain from grape to glass. With more than 1,400 employees in over 40 continents around the world, Accolade delivers approximately 276 million liters of wine to 130 countries every year. Contact Details Eric Nemeth nemeth@ericpr.com Company Website https://j-hardenwines.com/

August 17, 2023 01:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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